Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream : One shade to rule them all (?)

BB Creams are something I still do not quite get, all said and done. Yes, I have my faves that happen to come from 2 different ends of the price spectrum – Dior and Garnier and you do not get more diverse than that! I much prefer using a liquid foundation because to me, that’s what a BB cream aspires to be. Fans will of course disagree, but that’s how I roll 😉

Quite interestingly, here on the bandwagon is American brand Dr. Brandt with their own version of a BB Cream. The Flexitone BB Cream, as the name may imply, offers a formula that enable it to match to all (or rather, most) skin tones while offering anti-aging, radiance and smoothness and moisture to skin. All this, and SPF30 PA+++ to boot. Sounds promising right? Let’s see how it fares.

Packaging wise, it comes in a small 30ml tube with a flip top cap. I have a bit of problem with this method of dispensing the cream because you will invariably dispense too much. I always do, and it gets messy. For future reference, I think a nozzle type dispenser or even a pump is better.

More interesting however, is the claims of a one shade fits all product. You see, I have a lot of beef with most brands of BB Creams. There is no such thing as a one shade fits all, no matter what anyone says. With Korean brands, I get a grey cast most of the time (I generally have beef with most Korean BB Creams) and anyone who is above a medium skin tone can forget about trying a BB cream. Few exist for darker skintones.

Well, this one claims to be able to suit all skin tones. How they do it is by using pigment colour capsules that only break open when applied on your skin so it “self-adjusts” to your skintone. During the product launch, the 2 models used had different skin tones – fair and dark. It actually did look seamless on both and I was impressed. Unfortunately, I was less impressed when it was applied on my skin.

This unretouched photo shows you what happens when I apply 1 layer on my skin and when I layer a second layer.

I don’t know if you can tell, but the colour tone of my skin takes on a bit of a yellow cast when comparing the first and third photo. 2 layers does give a more beige/yellow cast to my skin. Over the day, if I have on more than 2 layers, it oxidizes so my skin starts looking dull. One thin layer doesn’t react, but as you can see, coverage is minimal. Its not bad, in that sense if you don’t mind touching up with a bit of concealer on the parts that matter. It helps to even out redness but it is quite minimal.

In terms of colour, I’d say the Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream may be suitable for most skintones but not for the very fair or very dark. For those in-between however, its pretty much fair game.

Another thing I noticed is that if the product is left to settle for a while (I couldn’t use this often no matter how hard I tried) the product tends to separate. The first time it happened, I thought it had gone off. But then I noticed on the tube that it said to shake before use, so I shook it up and thereafter it was alright. So, do read instructions 😛

Based on the swatch, you can see that it pumps out a grey-beige. Once you start to spread it out (middle swatch) you start seeing the colour appear. I found that the colour was too orange and on very fair skin, its very obvious on the skin. On the far right is a swatch blended out. You can see that the colour is less orange but still a shade darker than my skin tone. If I continue blending it out further, it will eventually be thin enough to blend into my skintone but then the coverage is pretty much non existent. So if you share my skintone, then I think this will not be suitable for you.

Texture wise, it is good. It is not oily at all, does not turn oily over the day and feels comfortable on my skin. The SPF30 PA+++ rating is fair, but I personally think you would not use enough of this for it to matter so it would be best to use a separate sunblock under it.

I think this would be something for those of medium to dark skintone who want to try a BB Cream but can never find one to suit their skintone. Many Asian brands offer shades that are just too light. This will fill that gap so no one gets left out 🙂

In a nutshell

The Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream is a BB Cream that claims to suit all skin tones. The texture is lightweight and comfortable without turning oily nor feeling heavy on the skin. The sun protection content is also relatively high. The cream does colour adjust, once you start spreading it out. I saw that it looked natural on someone with dark skintone so this may be an option for someone of darker skintone who wants to try a BB Cream. However, on me the colour ended up looking dull and too beige/yellow so I hesitate to recommend this to anyone with pink undertones or who is very fair. Also, I think this is an option for someone who already has relatively good skin and needs little coverage.

Pros: Light non oily texture, A bb cream for those of darker skintones,

Cons: Will not be suitable for those who have fair or pink skintones, Product tends to separate so be sure to shake it up before use, Pricey, A pump or nozzle packaging would be better

Who will like this: Someone who has darker skintones and wants to try a BB Cream, Someone who has relatively good complexion and needs little correction or coverage

Here is the ingredient list for those interested.

Have you come across the Flexitone BB Cream? Do you still use BB Creams?

I hardly use BB creams even if I do have those I like, which some people scorn for not being “true” BB creams. I sometimes use them on a weekend or on a weekday if I feel like it. But otherwise, I’m all for foundations and there are loads I like in that category 🙂

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Aww I’m so sorry this didn’t work for you! Since my skin tone is medium (and my undertone quite warm), I might be able to get away with it. I only have one BB cream that I like, which is Dior Hydra Life. I don’t know how much I still have left, but I’m pretty sure I will be through the tube soon! I like the higher SPF it offers. My face really didn’t tan much during my trip to Taipei!

I think I’m a little over BB creams >< The only thing I can foresee myself using this is during summer when I need to head out and top up my sunscreen – Sunscreen + light coverage over existing makeup.

Oh no, it makes your skin look dull. Boo… 🙁
If I’m not mistaken, the Body Shop has a BB Cream that uses this kind of “micro capsule” technology too. Haven’t check it out yet though.

I can’t wear Korean BB Creams too. They tend to produce this odd grey cast on my skin. Most of the time, I still prefer liquid foundations. However, on days when I’m too lazy or not feeling so formal, I’d just slap on NARS’s tinted moisturizer. It has SPF30 too. 😉

I’m the same with Korean BB cream! I get that grey cast too. Fans of it don’t believe me when I tell them, but it’s there and I just rather not use it. I hear lots of good things about the Nars tinted moisturizer. Haven’t tried it cos I don’t know my shade haha! I much prefer the brands calling their product a tinted sunscreen or tinted moisturizer, I have less expectations then 😛

Hmm, agreed, it makes you look sallow; your natural skin is much more beautiful! The BB cream I’ve been enjoying isn’t a true BB cream, either — namely, the Lancome BB Complete SPF 50 PA+++ that’s a sunscreen/hydrating primer. At least this Dr. Brandt one seems to have a nice light texture so more skin types can wear it, too.

I never trust those self-adjusting, “one color fits all” kind of base products. They don’t fit all, first of all–and they suit a wider than usual variety of skin tones because they’re so darn sheer most of the time! I will pass on this one…:/

I hate most North American BB Creams. They are just glorified tinted moisturizers in my opinion with hardly any coverage. I wish they’d just stop it already frankly. Sheesh, I can take any foundation I have and mix it with my favourite sunscreen and I’d get the same effect, so what’s the point of them? To trick us into buying them I guess. Wow, I sound angry hey haha! 😛
Love your honest opinion Paris!

Hahaha that was said with passion, Tracy! 😉 I hear you though. Actual BB Creams are really thick and pigmented, which is why they recommend a sheer thin layer. I personally believe that once they start tinkering with the original concept of the BB cream, to make it more palatable to everyone, it loses its benefits and then becomes a tinted moisturizer with SPF.

They were doing the hardsell to me some weeks ago. I still have the sample sachet, but I haven’t used it yet. I don’t know if it’ll work out for me, but at that price… it’s too expensive for it not to work on me, you know?

yeah I dunno about BB creams…I’ve never had the urge to buy one. I actually didn’t notice it oxidized until you pointed it out though hahahah so it’s definitely very subtle! Thanks for the balanced review 🙂

I bought the Garnier one to try. I do like how I don’t have to crack my brain to find out which shade my skin belongs to. It blends into my skin really well, so well that it seems like I’m not wearing any! The only problem is that oil starts to surface around 3 hours later. This, I’m not impressed at all. I tried the BB cream from Skin Food and I must say that it’s slightly better than Garnier. I’m glad it has worked well for you!

This post does not make me want to buy this BB cream at all. I just don’t feel it. Ha! Have a great Wednesday Paris!!!

In addition, have you checked out on the Panasonic heat curler? Your blog is by far the only blog I faithfully read every day. Keep it up! I enjoy it VERY MUCH!!! ^^

Sorry to hear the Garnier one didn’t work for you. I hear one of the Skin Food ones,maybe Mushroom? Is very good but I haven’t tried it myself. Afraid of it being too grey or heavy. Did you try that one? Loads of people like it! I haven’t had the chance to check out the Panasonic curler yet but I will, the next time I’m out 🙂 thanks for the support, Callie! I appreciate it!

Yes, Skin Food, mushroom one. It’s slightly better than Garnier. With Garnier, it takes me 3 hours and my nose is oily. With Skin Food, it takes probably 4-5 hours? I’m always on the lookout for longer lasting liquid foundations for oily complexions. For now, in the BB category, I would say Skin Food’s the one for me i.e. until I find an even better one. ^^

I just got Bobbi Brown BB Cream!
I never tried any Bobbi Brown face products before
and I really think you should give it a chance.
It comes in 5 shades, SPF 35 PA+++ and gives not dewy but more like satin-y finish!
My skin can finally breathe.
It still looks like my skin, but better 🙂

Haha the coverage in pic 3 is definitely much better but the yellow cast in real life don’t do it for me 🙁 pity the Shiseido foundation brush won’t work for skincare, Bugs. Looks like you’d have to find a foundation for it to go with! 😉

Well, I blame the Western companies for turning a fly into a pig in this case. I’m a fan of BB creams, but to be honest, not all were that great. I’m impressed by the general idea of BB creams. I think it’s a shame that the Western companies have kinda ruined it – labeling a product as BB cream already promises too much.

Haha turning a fly into a pig. I like that 😀 I tend to agree with you that not allBB creams out there are good. I would much prefer that they call it a tinted moisturizer then we won’t be so disappointed eh? 😉

Korean bb creams are so overrated! But they are getting popular here in London, shocking really. The best BB I’ve tried really is Laura Mercier, follow by Chantecaille! But yes, there are many good foundation choices so if that’s what you prefer just stick with it (them!)

Have to say this BB does not look so good on you. And I don’t think I will like that either! I bought Dr Brandt sunblock before and had to stop using it after a few times because it was so unpleasantly thick!!

How interesting, I didn’t think there was a BB cream from Laura Mercier, only tinted moisturizer which is really nice, and foundation 🙂 I didn’t think this one suited me either. ,I haven’t tried much of Dr. Brandt skincare but I think it’s a bit of a cult brand. Those who love it do, and those who don’t won’t 😀

The Garnier BB cream I picked up to try has not replaced my foundation. The latter is a staple for serious make up i.e. on work days. The Garnier BB cream comes out on weekends for “play play” where the face is allowed to take it easy. I’m still finding my way around this BB cream thing and I am not quite sure what it’s doing for me. On certain days I’d swear I look a tad more “pucat” [*pale/white *] with the BB cream on..

Haha I like your description, for play play 🙂 that’s how I treat BB creams or tinted moisturizers too. Not for work unless I don’t care about coverage 🙂 I usually end up looking too dark with some BB creams. I don’t know how the Koreans get it to suit all their skintones. Not all Koreans are fair and white!

The Garnier BB cream I picked up to try has not replaced my Bobbi Brown (the other BB :-D) foundation. The latter is a staple for serious make up i.e. on work days. The Garnier BB cream comes out on weekends for “play play” where the face is allowed to take it easy. I’m still finding my way around this BB cream thing and I am not quite sure what it’s doing for me. On certain days I’d swear I look a tad more “pucat” [*pale/white *] with the BB cream on..

Yay must shake shake before you. Haha i was shock when I saw the product n oil when i squeeze out. ewww,.. this is the few few bb cream that looked ok on my skin without looking like a ghost. a costly one

I think this could look good summer here. Then again, I have waaaaay too many BB creams to count and use. What more, there’s now CC creams, and I wanna try that too. Gah. Too many products, just one face.

I really thought that the BB cream trend was just that-a trend..Never expected it to (over)stay 😛 BB creams have never worked for me, grey and pink tones aside, besides giving me a mask effect they really have not done anything. Recently I managed to try out the very much hyped about Missha BB cream. They have 3 shades and 1 of the shades is in a yellow tone so I guess thats a good thing. However, the coverage was far from the acclaimed ‘full coverage’ and I didnt feel convinced enough to grab it. Well, I reckon if I wanted some sort of BB cream I could always mix my foundation with some moisturiser instead 😉 and save the money for more mascaras hehe!

Haha like you, I thought it was just an Asian thing but it’s certainly here to stay 😛 I didn’t like Missha myself. Do you know if it’s available locally? I know some people have been asking and I know of people who swear by Missha BB Creams. I tried a sample but it did nothing for me.

I am from SG so I wont be able to know if there are any Missha stores in Msia, sorry. But recently I have spotted 2 Missha shops in Singapore so chances are there might be a store (or more) coming in to Msia if they havent already 😉

Gah! I didn’t realise lol! We used to have a Missha counter but its gone. My first experience with Missha was in Singapore at Bugis Junction 🙂 bought some masks and some face wash. Long time ago though 😛